"Wheels for Workers" through partnership with Savannah Bicycle Campaign

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Through a new partnership between Lutheran Services of Georgia and the Savannah Bicycle Campaign, newly arrived refugees are able to receive refurbished bicycles. This new mobility helps them with their commutes to work, being able to get around their new neighborhoods, and provides safe and affordable transportation to get to school and doctor’s appointments.

Just launched a few months ago, the bicycles provide safe and convenient primary transportation, as well as a better chance for resettled families to integrate into the community.

"Max Youngblood, an employment specialist with Lutheran Services, said finding jobs for his refugee clients is only one piece of their resettlement. He said giving people … a bicycle affords (a) … far better chance to integrate into the community. "A bicycle, for my clients, is a huge sense of freedom," he said. "It reduces their commutes to work by, often times, an hour … and really it's just a bigger part of them kind of embracing America and letting it start to become their home."